Identification assistance

RealWing · 6th October 2010, 12:28 AM

A sword has been passed down through my family (to the eldest son in each generation of Bagshaw's) and I was told it was used in the Battle of Waterloo (There was a J Bagshaw listed in the battle). The Bagshaw family originated in England and emigrated to Canada in 1817

I'd appreciate any help in identifying it.

I understand that the VOC is a symbol of the Dutch East India company.
1787 in stamped on one side of the sword and 787 on the other. I'm not sure of the significance.
The wooden handle has obviously been replaced and some green felt added to the guard.

Thanks
Jim Bagshaw
Ontario, Canada

fernando · 6th October 2010, 03:37 PM

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum

.
Interesting sword you got there.
Just give it a little time. Some of our members are surely able to ID that piece for you.
Don't you have any impressions about the date yet?
BTW, how sure are you that this sword was used in Waterloo battle?
It looks like it has been modified for fencing

broadaxe · 6th October 2010, 05:59 PM

Wow, looks like a classic Dutch clamshell cutlass. The munition grade appearance and lack of thumb ring suites the dating. However, the makeshift grip is out of place and where is the pommel

Dmitry · 6th October 2010, 07:02 PM

It's a classic Dutch/Scandinavian style boarding cutlass. VOC is self-explanatory. Letter A stands for the Amsterdam arsenal. Below are the photos of mine, to give you an idea of what the original grip may have looked like.

RealWing · 7th October 2010, 12:47 AM

Thanks for all the information so far!!

To address some of the comments:
1. No, I am not sure it was used in the Battle of Waterloo - I'm only going on what my grandparents had told me.
2. I cant see any sign that the metal part of the grip has been modified. It all looks original to my untrained eye.

Any ideas on when it was made?

Thanks again
Jim

broadaxe · 7th October 2010, 12:28 PM

I think only the grip has been replaced, the metal parts seem untouched, it is an open guard, not a full D-guard.
1787 might well be the year of manufacture.

6th October 2010, 12:28 AM	#1
RealWing Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6	Identification assistance A sword has been passed down through my family (to the eldest son in each generation of Bagshaw's) and I was told it was used in the Battle of Waterloo (There was a J Bagshaw listed in the battle). The Bagshaw family originated in England and emigrated to Canada in 1817 I'd appreciate any help in identifying it. I understand that the VOC is a symbol of the Dutch East India company. 1787 in stamped on one side of the sword and 787 on the other. I'm not sure of the significance. The wooden handle has obviously been replaced and some green felt added to the guard. Thanks Jim Bagshaw Ontario, Canada Attached Images

6th October 2010, 03:37 PM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,666	Hi Jim, welcome to the forum . Interesting sword you got there. Just give it a little time. Some of our members are surely able to ID that piece for you. Don't you have any impressions about the date yet? BTW, how sure are you that this sword was used in Waterloo battle? It looks like it has been modified for fencing Last edited by fernando; 6th October 2010 at 03:47 PM.

6th October 2010, 07:02 PM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	It's a classic Dutch/Scandinavian style boarding cutlass. VOC is self-explanatory. Letter A stands for the Amsterdam arsenal. Below are the photos of mine, to give you an idea of what the original grip may have looked like. Attached Images

7th October 2010, 12:47 AM	#5
RealWing Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6	ID Thanks for all the information so far!! To address some of the comments: 1. No, I am not sure it was used in the Battle of Waterloo - I'm only going on what my grandparents had told me. 2. I cant see any sign that the metal part of the grip has been modified. It all looks original to my untrained eye. Any ideas on when it was made? Thanks again Jim

6th October 2010, 05:59 PM	#3
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 332	Wow, looks like a classic Dutch clamshell cutlass. The munition grade appearance and lack of thumb ring suites the dating. However, the makeshift grip is out of place and where is the pommel

7th October 2010, 12:28 PM	#6
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 332	I think only the grip has been replaced, the metal parts seem untouched, it is an open guard, not a full D-guard. 1787 might well be the year of manufacture.